Varanasi, one of Hinduism’s holiest cities on the banks of the river Ganga, was enveloped in a festive atmosphere as Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a new temple to the Hindu deity Ram in the city of Ayodhya, 200km away. The streets and boats in Varanasi were adorned with saffron flags bearing illustrations of Ram, while pilgrims flocked to the Kashi Vishwanath temple to offer their prayers. Nearby, barricades and police officers guarded the Gyanvapi Mosque, which Hindu supremacist groups have been trying to reclaim for decades. A local court allowed Hindus to pray in the mosque’s basement, sparking a sense of unease among the Muslim community. Despite this, Hindus in Varanasi welcomed the court’s decision, as it holds deep political significance in the lead up to India’s general elections. Critics have accused the Indian government of encouraging a rise in Hindu supremacy while increasing legal campaigns against centuries-old mosques. The future of the mosque now lies in the hands of the country’s courts.